AIMS // Atlantic Institute for Market Studies

AIMS author Paul W. Bennett discusses the future of the school board system in Nova Scotia.

This Op-Ed by AIMS President and CEO looks at Math scores in Nova Scotia compared to the rest of Canada and OECD countries

A new look: AIMS launches new website

This blog posting by AIMS contributor Paul W. Bennett discusses the role of the School Board and it's questionable future.

Transcript of remarks by Governor Jeb Bush about successful education reform at AIMS' 15th anniversary dinner in Moncton.

The Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) in cooperation with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy (FCPP) release the broadest set of public information ever presented on Western Canadian high schools.

This Commentary from Australia is a lesson to us all in the need for public accountability and public reporting in our education system.

Educator Paul Bennett looks at lost teaching days in Atlantic Canadian schools and provides evidence of how those lost days hurt our

Our population is getting older. This Commentary, based on a talk to the Canadian Education Association, examines how that fact will impact education policy.

Atlantic Canadian educators were quick to vilify the AIMS report card on high schools calling it “a disservice” and “misleading”. What they did not do is back up their arguments with facts. In this commentary for Progress magazine, Jim Meek observes, instead of carping at critics, educators must take a closer look at the benefits of ranking our schools.

AIMS is front and centre in the Atlantic Canada media this week following the release of its Report Card on Atlantic Canadian high schools. The Report Card, which ranks regional high schools' performance, has ignited a heated debate over not only the results, but also the impact the study will have on the education system. Critics inside the education establishment have gone so far as to tell teachers not to even read the study. Supporters are saying this type of external review has been far too long coming.

Atlantic Canadian taxpayers invest substantial sums in our region’s universities, but what value are they actually receiving in return for their investment?

According to this Commentary by AIMS author Ken Boessenkool, a growing body of evidence shows that independent and home schools perform much better than public schools, even when you adjust for socio-economic factors such as education of parents and income. The goal in public education ought to be, then, to try and increase parental involvement in our public schools. Proposals exist to do just that, but many of them are problematic.

This is an edited excerpt from the speech by former Governor Jeb Bush to AIMS' 15th Anniversary event in Moncton. Bush uses his successful experience in Florida to provide tips on improving public education.

This front page story in the Times & Transcript features AIMS 15th anniversary dinner with Jeb Bush. It provides details of education reform that worked in Florida under Bush and has proven successful in other jurisdictions. It mirrors much of AIMS' research in education.

Governor Jeb Bush's speech to AIMS' 15th anniversary dinner in Moncton made front page news in New Brunswick. This article in the Telegraph Journal shows how Bush proposes to drag education into the 21st century. He points out little has changed in the classroom since the 50's.

In a preview of AIMS' 15th anniversary event in Moncton, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush explains some of the education reforms he championed while in office.

Since the release of AIMS Report Card on Atlantic Canadian high schools more than a month ago, teacher associations and government leaders have categorized the study as misleading, flawed in its data and demonstrating poor methodology. But AIMS president Brian Lee Crowley said none of the government recipients of the study has yet been specific in its claims.

Atlantic Canadian newspapers continue to wade into the debate on AIMS Report Card on Atlantic Canadian High Schools. In the Friday March 21 edition of the Journal Pioneer in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, the paper said it is hard to get upset over Education Minister Chester Gillan not having information on high schools ‘readily available’ when staffing issues should take priority.

The Daily Gleaner, March 15 editorial said the "The public.. is making public education its business." and asked why educators would ask the public to "ignore this report.” The editorial also asks the NBTA to “place their concerns firmly, clearly, and rationally on the table. Only then will the public be able to dismiss and condemn or accept and praise the AIMS work.”

Here is a sampling of the debate over the Report Card on Atlantic Canadian High Schools released by the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies. These letters appeared in the Wednesday, March 12, 2003 edition of the Halifax Chronicle Herald.

Results for New Brunswick schools for AIMS' 8th Annual Report Card on Atlantic Canadian High Schools.

Use the information to demand real change in your school

Native Maritimer Revolutionizes Public School System with Choice and Accountability

AIMS methodology “exceptional”, “fair”, “illuminating”, “objective”

Newfoundland's claims unsubstantiated. Repetition by other ministers both unfair and uninformed

AIMS Researcher says, “supply evidence or withdraw unjustified criticism”.

David Seymour will address the Public Section of the Saskatchewan School Boards’ Association on the vexed topic of community feedback in education. If Standardised Testing undermines the autonomy and professionalism of teachers, are there alternatives for satisfying community expectations?

AIMS Fellow in Public Education, Angus McBeath, delivered a presentation entitled, “Saving Our Public Schools.”

AIMS president Brian Lee Crowley presented a commentary titled, "Students Without Border, Universities Without Illusions: Why international mobility will cause a quality revolution in our universities." at the annual conference of the National Association of University Chairs and Secretaries (NAUBCS)

Angus McBeath, Superintendent of Public Schools, explains the outstanding success of the Edmonton education reform experience

Will enabling parents and students to choose their own schools and allowing schools to compete will provide the best educational opportunities.

The White House Comes to AIMS: David Frum on Canada-US relations, why educators are blame AIMS for their own problems plus Brian Lee Crowley on natural gas distribution and the danger of opting for cheap pills now versus new drugs tomorrow.

An invitation to hear Edmonton Superintendent of Schools to speak at an AIMS event, the debate over nationalized auto insurance and Brian Lee Crowley on the future of work in Nova Scotia.

Don’t Miss Angus McBeath at The Halifax Club

AIMS Receives its fourth Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Award, Brian Lee Crowley issues the keynote “Call to Action” at the Nova Scotia Immigration Partnership Conference, promoting productivity and prosperity for Atlantic Canada and more.